Explore an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum—all under one living roof.

Membership FAQs

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Learn more about purchasing, renewing, or gifting a membership—and how to enjoy your membership to its fullest once you're part of the California Academy of Sciences family.

Account Management

Where can I find my membership ID number?
Your membership ID number appears on the back of your membership card and on your acknowledgment and renewal letters and emails. You can also email the Membership Department at membership@calacademy.org, call our Contact Center at (800) 794-7576, or visit the Service Desk at the front of the museum to speak to a representative for further assistance.

Where can I edit my address and update my email?
You may email the Membership Department at membership@calacademy.org, call our Contact Center at (800) 794-7576, or change your information at our Service Desk the next time you visit the Academy.

When does my membership expire?
Your membership expiration date can be found on letter and email communications from the Academy. You can also email the Membership Department at membership@calacademy.org or call us at (800) 794-7576. We're always happy to answer any and all questions about your Academy membership.

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Annual Plans

What is the Annual Membership Subscription?
The Annual Membership Subscription is a convenient and green way to ensure continuous access to Academy Membership benefits. This option enables members to purchase membership with an initial down payment and 11 equal monthly payments thereafter. Your membership is renewed on an annual basis at which point members will pay equal monthly payments. Before the renewal is charged, the Academy will email a renewal notice and you may opt not to renew at that time by notifying the Academy. Learn more about Annual Membership Subscriptions.

What is the Automatic Renewal Plan?
This feature allows your membership to automatically renew, ensuring that your membership benefits do not lapse. Just like the Annual Membership Subscription, the Academy will email a renewal notice prior to charging your card and you may opt not to automatically renew.

How do I enroll in either plan?
Choose the “Annual Membership Subscription” or “Automatic Renewal” option when purchasing or renewing a membership online. You may also request to enroll in either plan by calling our Contact Center at (415) 379-8098 or visiting our Service Desk in-person. One month before your membership is due to expire, you will receive an email notification that your credit card on file will be charged for the next year of membership at the current membership level.

How do I cancel participation?
You can cancel participation in either the Annual Membership Subscription or Automatic Renewal by contacting the Academy at (415) 379-8098. Your membership will not be renewed automatically once the current membership expires.

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Community Value Membership

What happens if I want to come to the museum on a blackout date?
You are welcome to upgrade to a higher-level membership and gain access to the museum any day of the year.

What is the difference between a Community Value membership and a Family membership?
While both memberships grant benefits to two adults and their children or grandchildren, they differ in price and availability: Community Value membership ($129 a year) includes 230+ annual days of museum access, while Family membership ($249) includes 365 days.

Can I purchase a Community Value membership on a blackout date?
You are welcome to purchase your membership on a blackout day either in full, on a payment plan, or by applying your already-purchased tickets to the full membership price. However, you will need to begin using the membership on a non-blackout day.

Gift Membership

Is there a way to gift a membership to an unknown recipient?
Yes:Gift membership vouchers can be purchased for unspecified recipients.

How can I redeem/activate the voucher?
Your gift recipient can fill out the back of the voucher and bring it to the Academy on their first visit. Your gift recipient will receive immediate access to the Academy and will be presented with their membership cards. The voucher can also be mailed to the address shown on the card for redemption. Permanent membership cards will be mailed to your recipient within 2–3 weeks.

What is the difference between a gift voucher and a personalized gift membership?A gift voucher works much like a gift card: Your recipient can bring the voucher to the Academy to redeem their membership. Vouchers should be redeemed within one year from date of purchase, and the membership becomes active on the date of redemption. However, a personalized gift membership creates an Academy membership in the recipient’s name that is active on the purchase date.

I lost my voucher, what can I do?
Unfortunately, vouchers are treated like cash and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Vouchers need to be presented to Academy staff in order for the membership to be activated.

Can I print this voucher?
No, vouchers cannot be printed at home at this time. Vouchers purchased online or over the phone will be mailed. Only vouchers purchased at the Academy can be made available to the purchaser on the purchase date.

Is there something I can print at home that I can present to my recipient while I wait to receive the voucher/personalized membership?
Not at this time, but feel free to let the recipient know about your gift! If the Gift Membership is personalized, the recipient may get day passes printed at the service desk before receiving their membership card.

Can I apply my voucher towards my current membership to renew?
Yes. Please mail in the voucher to the address shown on the card, or redeem the voucher in person towards a renewal.

Can my recipient visit the Academy before receiving their membership cards?
Only recipients of personalized gift memberships may visit before they receive their membership cards. Please call (800) 794-7576 to speak with a service representative about your membership number. Once you receive your membership number, please bring a photo ID and membership number to the Membership Service Desk. You will receive a day pass and can visit the Academy while you wait for your membership cards to arrive by mail. Gift voucher recipients must redeem their voucher before or on the day of visiting the Academy.

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Guest Privileges

How does guest admission work?
Guest admission is included with each membership category, except for Individual. Guests must accompany the cardholder to receive free admission. Members in the Senior and Individual Plus category may bring one guest with every visit. Family Plus and Associate members may bring two guests with every visit.

Can I bring in more guests than my membership category allows?
Yes! Your additional guests can accompany you to the Membership kiosk to purchase admission tickets. You may also purchase extra tickets online and your guests can use the member entrance with you, including during Member Hours. Learn more about membership benefits.

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Membership Cards

Why didn’t I get a new card with my renewal?
In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, our membership cards aren't printed with expiration dates. As long as you stay active as a member at the same level, you can use the same card year after year. If you have changed your membership level or need a replacement card, visit the Service Desk the next time you visit and we’ll be happy to print one for you.

How many cards will I receive?
Senior, Individual Plus, and Teacher-level members receive a single membership card, which grants entry for you and a guest on each visit—no extra ticket is needed. Individual-level members also receive one card but with no guest privileges. A Family, Family Plus, or Associate-level membership is required to receive at least two cards bearing different names.

I paid for a membership but haven't received my card/s—when should I expect to?
To receive your permanent membership cards, simply present your temporary card at the Service Desk on your first visit to the Academy.

I misplaced my card—can I still visit?
Please bring your photo ID to our onsite Service Desk (located at the main entrance) and we’ll replace your card immediately. If your card is permanently lost, please call the membership hotline at (800) 794-7576 or let the Service Desk attendant know and we'll replace them. To help the Academy conserve resources, please retain your membership card as long as your membership is active. Should you need to replace a lost or stolen card or make a name change, a $5 fee will be assessed.

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Membership Upgrades

I recently upgraded my membership. Why did my expiration date stay the same?
When upgrading, you pay only the difference between your current and new membership level, and your expiration date remains the same. If your renewal date is approaching, you may choose to renew-and-upgrade early, which will extend your expiration date for one full year. Once your upgrade is complete, your upgraded membership benefits will be effective immediately.

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Purchase and Visitation

I plan to visit the Academy soon—what’s the fastest way to sign up?
Online or at our front door! After signing up online, present your order confirmation email to receive your permanent membership cards upon your first visit to the Academy. Or, sign up on the day you visit at the Service Desk. You may also call the membership hotline at (800) 794-7576.

I just purchased my membership online/over the phone. When do I get my permanent cards?
When you purchase a membership online or over the phone, we email you a temporary pass along with your confirmation. If you didn't received it—or if you simply forget to bring it with you—just check in at the Service Desk (at the Academy's entrance) with a valid photo ID and we will issue your cards..

Can I apply general admission ticket purchases toward an Academy membership?
What a great idea! The cost of general admission ticket/s can absolutely be applied to an Academy membership, but must be done on the same day of your visit, and no later than 30 minutes before closing. NightLife tickets can also be applied toward memberships, if done on the day of the event and no later than 9:30 pm.

Here's how it works: The value of up to two purchased Adult tickets may be applied to any Individual membership product. The value of two purchased Adult tickets, plus the value of all purchased Child or Youth tickets, may be applied to any Family membership. Admission tickets that are purchased as part of a group visit (or that are otherwise discounted in any way) cannot be applied to an Academy membership.

Does the Academy participate in a matching gift program?
Yes! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. Check with your employer for more information—if your membership qualifies, it's an excellent chance to double your gift to the Academy.

Purchase, renew, or gift an Academy membership by January 8, 2018, and receive up to three complimentary general admission tickets to the California Academy of Sciences. Offer available for Individual, Individual Plus, Community Value, Senior levels (1 ticket), Family and Family Plus levels (2 tickets), and Associate level (3 tickets). Complimentary tickets are valid for one year from date of purchase of new or renewing membership and have no cash value. Offer is not retroactive and may not be combined with other offers.

The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it is home to a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum—all under one living roof.